Karl Rove Resigns

Posted: Mon 5:51 AM, Aug 13, 2007

Karl Rove, President Bush's close friend and chief political strategist, plans to leave the White House at the end of August, joining a lengthening line of senior officials heading for the exits in the final 1 1/2 years of the administration.

A longtime member of Bush's inner circle, Rove was nicknamed"the architect" by the president for designing the strategy thattwice won him the White House.

Bush was expected to make a statement Monday with Rove.

"Obviously it's a big loss to us," White House deputy presssecretary Dana Perino said. "He's a great colleague, a goodfriend, and a brilliant mind. He will be greatly missed, but weknow he wouldn't be going if he wasn't sure this was the right timeto be giving more to his family, his wife Darby and their son. Hewill continue to be one of the president's greatest friends."

Since Democrats won control of Congress in November, some topadministration officials have announced their resignations. Amongthose who have left are White House counselor Dan Bartlett, budgetdirector Rob Portman, chief White House attorney Harriet Miers,political director Sara Taylor, deputy national security adviserJ.D. Crouch and Meghan O'Sullivan, another deputy national securityadviser who worked on Iraq. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld wasforced out immediately after the election as the unpopular war inIraq dragged on.

Rove is expected to write a book after he leaves.

"He's been talking with the president for a long time - about ayear - regarding when might be good to go," Perino said. "Butthere's always a big project to work on, and his strategicabilities - and our need for his support - kept him here. He saidthere's never a good time to leave, just the `right' time."

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